Missi Helped Off in Utah, Status Unknown

Pelicans starting center Yves Missi left Friday night's game at Utah in the second quarter after injuring his left leg and had to be assisted to the locker room. No update on his status was available coming out of the building.

It's early in the season, which makes the timing worse in a way — nothing to absorb the blow yet, no rhythm established. Missi has been the anchor in the middle for a New Orleans team that spent the offseason shoring up its offensive pieces. Losing him for any stretch puts real pressure on whatever is behind him at center.

The Pelicans haven't had much injury luck in recent years, and this is not a franchise with a lot of margin for error up front. We'll know more in the next day or two when imaging results come back. Worth watching.